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Note 5 - Costs and Estimated Earnings and Billings on Uncompleted Contracts (Detail) - Excess billings ofer costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts: (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011
Costs incurred and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts | $ 1,361,973 | $ 997,527
Billings on uncompleted contracts | (1,360,299) | (999,601)
Excess of costs incurred and estimated earnings over billings (excess of billings over costs incurred and estimated earnings) on uncompleted contracts | $ 1,674 | $ (2,074)

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- Definition Billings on uncompleted contracts + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | strl_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition Costs incurred and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | strl_CostsIncurredAndEstimatedEarningsOnUncompletedContracts
Namespace Prefix: | strl_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition No authoritative reference available. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_BillingsInExcessOfCostCurrent
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant